Turn the gas heater off at night

Better Health Channel

It hasn’t been the warmest summer weather, and it’s certainly felt like time to turn the heater on, especially in the mornings.

As many families now pack up and head away for those summer holidays, whether to the caravan on the river or down to the beach, you have to be careful, especially at night. If you have a gas heater, make sure you are up to date with having it serviced before you put it into action.

Gas heaters and other gas appliances produce carbon monoxide (CO) gas as a by-product. CO is odourless, colourless, and difficult to detect. Exposure to CO can cause poisoning, and at high levels it can cause loss of consciousness, seizures and even death.

To prevent CO poisoning in your home:
• make sure your gas heater is serviced at least every 2 years by a licensed or registered gasfitter
• do not leave gas heaters to run continuously overnight
• always follow the operating instructions on the appliance or in the manual
• consider installing an audible CO alarm as a back up
• check that your gas heater is not subject to a safety alert from Energy Safe Victoria.

Learn more about heating your home safely this winter – www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.